Fifth annual memorial showcase attracts Texas’ top talent

By Garrett Kroeger, Laredo Morning Times

Published
11:00 pm CDT, Wednesday, October 10, 2018

St. Augustine High School Principal, Olga Gentry, left and Head Boys Basketball Coach Rodrigo Romo pose with family members of former basketball player Patrick H. Alexander, his mother Diana R. Alexander and his widow Cristy B. Alexander as they announced the fifth annual Patrick H. Alexander, Jr., Basketball Showcase, Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at the St. Augustine Wellness Center. The tournament is scheduled for Friday, November 2, and for Saturday, November 3, 2018. less

St. Augustine High School Principal, Olga Gentry, left and Head Boys Basketball Coach Rodrigo Romo pose with family members of former basketball player Patrick H. Alexander, his mother Diana R. Alexander and ... more

Photo: Cuate Santos / Laredo Morning Times

Photo: Cuate Santos / Laredo Morning Times

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St. Augustine High School Principal, Olga Gentry, left and Head Boys Basketball Coach Rodrigo Romo pose with family members of former basketball player Patrick H. Alexander, his mother Diana R. Alexander and his widow Cristy B. Alexander as they announced the fifth annual Patrick H. Alexander, Jr., Basketball Showcase, Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at the St. Augustine Wellness Center. The tournament is scheduled for Friday, November 2, and for Saturday, November 3, 2018. less

St. Augustine High School Principal, Olga Gentry, left and Head Boys Basketball Coach Rodrigo Romo pose with family members of former basketball player Patrick H. Alexander, his mother Diana R. Alexander and ... more

Photo: Cuate Santos / Laredo Morning Times

Fifth annual memorial showcase attracts Texas’ top talent

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The St. Augustine basketball team is preparing host some of the top talent in the state again with the fifth annual Patrick H. Alexander Jr. Invitational TAPPS All-State Basketball Showcase from Nov. 2-3.

“A schoolmate of mine, Patrick Alexander died a few years ago of cancer,” St. Augustine head coach Rodrigo Romo said. “He was very well liked in the community. Not only that, but he was a good athlete at St. Augustine too. It’s a way to honor his memory.”

Alexander was a four-year varsity basketball player for St. Augustine. He graduated in 1985.

This year’s showcase will feature 11 teams from across the state. Several teams from Houston, San Antonio and Austin will be making the trip down to the Gateway City. Romo jokingly said he needs to get teams from El Paso and Dallas to fully cover the state for this showcase.

When Romo and his friends started this showcase, he never expected the tournament to be where it is today.

“It’s grown,” Romo said. “We on average have 10-14 Division I athletes participate in this tournament. It’s the real deal. It’s college-level talent. It’s fun to watch because it’s a different style of basketball than what we will face all year.”

Since the tournament is a showcase, there will be no champion crowned at the end. Each team will play three games then head home after. Not only that, but on Nov. 2 there will be a dunk contest and 3-point contest.

Nov. 2-3 were selected because TAPPS teams can play two weeks before UIL schools can. Because of that, TAPPS schools have to wait to go participate in showcases that are hosted by UIL institutes.

“I never used to play early,” Romo said. “We were trying to get some of these teams, so I asked how about the first weekend when TAPPS can play? And the response was amazing.”

Since there is no champion proclaimed at the end of the weekend, most teams see it as a developmental weekend. They make sure the guys gain enough experience before getting into the heart of the schedule. However, Romo was adamant that just because most teams see the tournament that way, it doesn’t mean they won’t go all out.

As for St. Augustine, it will be looking for its first win in the showcase.

“I’m 0-12 at my own tournament,” Romo said. “We are looking to get that first win this year. However, at the end of the day though, it’s all about having fun at this one and honoring Patrick.”